How to keep plants alive in intense heat

Are your plants looking a little sad from the intense summer heat? Find out what you can do to keep them alive when things heat up.

Are your plants looking a little sad from the intense summer heat? Find out what you can do to keep them alive when things heat up.

Hot summer weather can be a major drag for your garden. You might have lovingly cared for them throughout spring and early summer, but when the nice weather turns intense, things might be looking a little wilted around your favorite outdoor space.

Here are three simple tips for keeping your plants in good shape:

1. Keep your cool

When a heat wave strikes your area, plants can scorch causing you to freak out and want rip things out. Don’t panic if this happens to your yard. Heat stress can make plants wilt, but things aren’t necessarily as bad as they look. Some plants can bounce back as the temperature cools in the evening. Try to give your plants a little extra TLC to see if they recover before taking them out.

2. Adjust your watering schedule

When things heat up outside, consider watering your plants at night. There is a long-held belief that watering plants in the middle of the day when the sun is scorching hot can potentially burn your plants. Another concern is evaporation. This is particularly an issue if you live in a dry climate. If you live in a more humid environment, consider watering in the early morning instead so that the water that remains on leaves isn’t partial to disease (this could be an issue if watering at night).

Plants in containers should be watered every day because the soil tends to dry out more quickly.

3. Get your mulch on

Adding additional mulch not only helps with keeping pesky weeds under control, it helps hold in moisture. A layer of mulch can also offer a layer of protection for keeping plant roots cooler and away from the summer sun.